Wike-Backed PDP Chairmen Urge Jonathan to Reject Turaki Faction’s Use of His Name

State chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have called on former President Goodluck Jonathan to publicly distance himself from the Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the party.

The appeal follows the Turaki faction’s announcement of Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election after a special national convention held in Abuja.

Although Jonathan did not attend the convention, his certificate of return was received on his behalf by Fred Agbedi, a member of the House of Representatives representing Bayelsa State.

While the former president has held meetings with members of the Turaki faction in recent weeks, he has not publicly commented on the nomination or accepted the candidacy.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, Austin Nwachukwu, chairman of the Wike-backed PDP State Chairmen’s Forum and chairman of the party in Imo State, accused the Turaki faction of exploiting Jonathan’s name to advance what he described as illegitimate political activities.

Nwachukwu urged the former president to publicly reject the nomination in order to protect his reputation and preserve his legacy.

“We call on you, in view of the global image and moral authority you command, to address Nigerians directly and disassociate yourself from the continuous use of your name in this spectacle by expelled PDP members,” he said.

According to him, Jonathan’s continued silence could be interpreted as approval of the actions of the faction.

The forum also questioned the legality of the nomination process, alleging that the Turaki faction manually submitted Jonathan’s name after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declined to provide electronic access codes required for candidate uploads.

Nwachukwu further claimed that Kabiru Turaki and members of the interim caretaker committee had already been expelled from the PDP and were attempting to create the impression of a parallel leadership within the party.

He maintained that the only legally recognised PDP leadership is headed by National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu.

The forum called on the party’s National Working Committee to initiate contempt proceedings and other legal actions against members of the Turaki faction, insisting that the party must protect its structure and prevent further actions capable of creating confusion ahead of the 2027 general election.